The more deceptive you are; the more successful you will become. In his excerpt from “Empire of Illusion,” Chris Hedges argues that the most essential skill to have is artifice. Politicians must emploit artifice to create an ideal ego in order for society to accept them as trustworthy and similar to the common person. Whilst many believe that our nation’s leaders must be virtuous, honorable, and incorruptible in their political goals... the devious nature of politicians, the use of stratagem and trickery to manipulate others to conform to political ideals, and the efforts to hide political scandals prove that artifice is essential to becoming a successful politician. Firstly, the most powerful leaders throughout history have utilized the
